DEFENCE MATTERS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1006, 22 December 1910, Page 4

DEFENCE MATTERS.

MORE ABOUT THE MASTERTON CAMP. A team froiji the "Wanganui Irish Rifles .will visit Wellington with a view to a match against No. 1 Company of tho G.A.V. on Boxing Day. Those officers who havo been invited to go into camp for instruction as adjutants and instructors will require to undergo a medical examination, tho arrangements in counectidu with which are now being made by Colonel Purdy, P.M.O. for tho Wellington district. It is understood that tho instruction to be given at tho forthcoming camp for area officers' will bo, of a . most thorough nature. A start will bo mado with the elementary subjects, and gradually the syllabus will bo extended to include all tho duties appertaining to tho positions. The courso of instruction will occupy two months, and will bo insisted upon in all cases.

ITEMS FROM GENERAL ORDERS. - General orders, dated as far back as December 3, camo to-hand last evening. They grant leave of absence to Captain S. V. Trask from December 29 to January 11. The resignation of the appointment hold by StafF-Sergoant-Major Reignald Herbert Dodd (Mounted duties, Wellington district), has been accopted as from Dccembor 31.

Tho following: resignations have been accopted:—Liout.-Colonel F. B. Cresswell -(Canterbury), Hon. Chaplain Rev. Geo. A. Carvor .(Auckland), Captain W. J. Barclay, M.D. (Medical Corps), Ljeut. R. M. Watson (Wellington), and Lieut. A.,J. Mirrielccs (Johnsonville). ■The following appointments have beenapproved:—F. W. Skelsey, to bo lieutonant (Otago Garrison Artillery); J. D. Landols, to bo lieutenant (Clutha Riiles); E. G. Pirie, to' ho' lieutenant (Rarifurly Rifles); John- Daly, to be lioutenant (Hastings Rifles); J. R. T. Slippor, to be lieutenant (Hutt Rifles); J. B; Davies, to bo lieutenant (Kclburne Rifles); H. C. Colton, to bo lieutenant(Auckland Cycle Corps); C. W. Mellor, to bo lieutenant (Wellington. City Rifles); C. IC. Gascoigne, to bo actinglisutonant (Wellington-Guards); A. S. T. Butler, to,bo aoting-lieutenant (Hutt Valley Rifles). - Tlio Douglas Defence Rifle Club (Wellington) has been disbanded as from November 22.

The services of the Addison Defence Riflo Club (Nelson) have been accepted as from November 22.

General orders, dated Decomber 17, notify the appointmont of Liout.-Colonel E. -W. C. Chaytor as Officer Commanding tho Wellington district. The appointment of Captain T. H. Ringland (acting-major) to the 3rd Battalion Wellington Rifles has been cancelled.

Tho Right Rev. A. W. Averill, M.A., has boon appointed hon. chaplain-major to tho 3rd Battalion Wellington Rifles. Lieut. G. S. Willis, of the Wellington Highland Rifles, is authorised to administer tho. oath of allegiance in terms of tho General Regulations (Clause 157). Officers commanding corps and companies. should see that tho preparation of capitation rolls is now proceeded with in ordor that they may ho completed as soon ajter February 28 as possible. Instructions as to their preparation aro included in general orders. MARCH RIFLE MEETING. Intending competitors at tho tenth annual meeting of tho Dominion Riflo Association, to bo held at Trentham on Friday, March 3, 1911, and tho following days, can obtain programmes and entry forms for same by applying to the District Defence Office, Government Buildings, Wellington; or to Stafl-.irgeant-Major Peacock, Wanganui; Sfcaff-Scrgeant-Major M'Nair, Napier; Staff-Sergeant-Major Sanderson, New Plymouth; Staff-Sergeant-Major M'Cristeil, Masterton; Staff- Sergeant-Major Dovey, Palmerston North. All entries aro to be forwarded direct to tho secretary, Captain J. Roache, care of the Frieudly Societies Department, Government Buildings, Wellington. On receipt of same railway passes will be forwarded.

Attention has been drawn by tho Director-General, Veterinary Services, to the fact that many horses ar6 taken to camp with shoes almost worn out, and somo, without shoes at all; also that in many eases tho saddlery is in bad order and unserviceable. All ranks should, prior to their going into camp, satisfy themselves that theiT horses aro properly shod, and that their saddlery is serviceable and in good order.